Screen frame connecting device and window screen using the same

ABSTRACT

A screen frame connecting device includes a connector with engagement pieces which engage a frame member of the screen frame. A tab member connects with the connecting element and is offset from an outside portion of the connecting element. The tab member has a surface with visible indicia, such as a safety warning label. In another embodiment, a window screen includes a screen frame, for example, in the shape of a rectangle, square, or other shape. Frame elements are interconnected by an engagement element. Means for displaying visible indicia over a portion of the window screen includes a cantilevered or suspended surface suspended over the screening material. Visible indicia on the cantilevered surface may include raised or printed symbols or lettering. In another embodiment, a screen display device includes a display area having visible indicia including one or more letters or symbols.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Design Application Ser. No. 29/180,408, filed on Apr. 23, 2003 by Fred A. Malik, Jr., entitled “SAFETY LABEL”, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference, and for which benefit is claimed under 35 U.S.C. §120.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This application relates to window screens, and to devices for connecting screen frame elements together, and more particularly to devices for connecting frame elements together at a corner or edge of a window or door screen frame.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In one embodiment of the invention, a screen frame connecting device includes a connecting element having two extended engagement pieces which are suitably arranged and adapted for engaging a corresponding frame member of the screen frame which may have, for example, an essentially rectangular cross-section. The frame member may be engaged by the connecting device at a corner of the window screen, or along a side of the screen frame between two or more frame members. A tab member is connected to the connecting element and arranged so as to be offset from an outside portion of the connecting element toward. The offset position may be located, for example, away from an external corner of a screen frame assembled using the connecting device. When the connecting device is used in assembling a window screen, the tab member is supported in a cantilevered fashion at one corner or along one side so as to be suspended beyond an edge of the connecting element over a screen portion of the window screen at a corner or along an edge of the connecting device. The tab member has a surface upon which visible indicia is located. In a further aspect of this embodiment, the visible indicia may include one or more symbols or letters, including words, and may include a safety warning label printed, embossed, stamped, or provided as raised lettering and symbols resulting from a plastic injection molding process, for example, for example, and may include indicia having different colors in other aspects of this embodiment.

[0004] In another embodiment of the invention, a window screen includes a plurality of frame elements arranged in a closed shape as a screen frame, where two or more of the frame elements are interconnected by at least one engagement element. A screening material or screen cloth, for example, a plastic or metal (such as aluminum) mesh or space cloth, is attached to and suspended between the frame elements over the opening in the screen frame. Means for supporting and displaying visible indicia over a portion of the screening material is provided, and may include, for example, a cantilevered surface or tab member connected to an engagement element located at a corner of the window screen or along an edge of the window screen. The cantilevered surface or tab member has a surface upon which visible indicia including one or more symbols or letters or words, or a safety-warning label are displayed. Such visible indicia may be printed, embossed, stamped, or provided as raised lettering and/or symbols resulting from a plastic injection molding process, for example, and may include, in other aspects of this embodiment, indicia having different colors.

[0005] In another embodiment, a screen display device includes a display area having visible indicia including one or more letters or symbols and a groove contact portion suitable for engaging a corresponding groove of a screen frame. A window screen utilizing such a screen display device has and a screen cloth suspended over a window screen frame. A groove contact portion of the screen display device fits into and is held in a groove of the window screen frame by the screening material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006]FIG. 1A is an illustration of a first embodiment of the invention directed to a screen frame connecting device which, in one aspect of this embodiment, is intended for use at a corner of a window screen as shown in FIG. 5;

[0007]FIG. 1B is a section view of the screen frame connecting device of FIG. 1A, through section line IB-IB′ of FIG. 1A;

[0008]FIG. 1C is a section view of the screen frame connecting device of FIG. 1A, through section line IC-IC′ of FIG. 1A;

[0009]FIG. 1D is a section view of the screen frame connecting device of FIG. 1A, through section line ID-ID′ of FIG. 1A;

[0010]FIG. 2A illustrates a cross-section view of an exemplary frame element that may be used in constructing the window screen frames of the second embodiment depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6, and in which the screen frame connecting device or connecting element of the aspects of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A-1D, 3A-3B, and 4A-4B may be suitably inserted for connecting two frame elements together;

[0011]FIG. 2B provides a perspective view of a section of the exemplary frame element of FIG. 2A;

[0012]FIG. 3A depicts another aspect of the first embodiment of FIG. 1A which includes an exemplary safety warning label;

[0013]FIG. 3B shows a side view of the aspect of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3A;

[0014]FIG. 4A is an illustration of another aspect of the first embodiment of the invention directed to a screen frame connecting device which, in another embodiment shown in FIG. 6, is used in a window screen to connect frame elements along an edge of the window screen;

[0015]FIG. 4B is a side view of the aspect of the first embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 4A;

[0016]FIG. 5 depicts a second embodiment of the invention directed to a window screen which includes screen frame connecting devices of the type depicted in the aspects of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A-1D and 3A-3B;

[0017]FIG. 6 depicts another aspect of the second embodiment of the invention directed to a window screen which includes a screen frame connecting device of the type depicted in the aspects of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

[0018]FIG. 7A illustrates an embodiment of the invention directed to a screen display element;

[0019]FIG. 7B shows a side view of the screen display element shown in FIG. 7A; and

[0020]FIG. 8 illustrates a variation of the second embodiment of the invention directed to a window screen which includes screen display elements of the type depicted in third embodiment shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B.

DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0021]FIGS. 1A-1D, 3A, 3B, 4A, and 4B depict a screen frame connecting device or engagement element shown in various aspects of the first embodiment of the invention. A first aspect of this embodiment is illustrated In FIGS. 1A-1D, wherein screen frame connecting device 100 includes connecting element 110 having two engagement pieces 111, 112 extending outwardly, and essentially perpendicular to each other, connected at connecting element 110. Each of engagement pieces 111, 112 are configured to engage a corresponding frame member of a window screen frame, illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, and discussed below.

[0022] Engagement pieces 111 and 112 include, along a portion of their length, thickened portions 116 and 116′, and further include, at an end portion, keyed engagement portions 113 and 114, respectively. Groove 115 runs through connecting element 110, separating thickened connecting portion 117 from connecting element 110. Groove 115 is suitable for receiving a conventional sealing element such as a rubberized gasket (not shown), which may hold a screen material (not shown) of a window screen, for example.

[0023] Tab member 118 may be connected to connecting element 110 at thickened connecting portion 117. Tab member 118 provides a surface which may be cantilevered or suspended from connecting element 110 by thickened connecting portion 117, for example. Tab member 118 may be connected to connecting element by other means, for example, along an edge of tab member 118. Tab member 118 may be offset from the outside portion of the connecting element along a line essentially bisecting an interior angle (e.g., 90 degrees) formed between engagement pieces 111 and 112. Engagement pieces 111 and 112 are shown perpendicular to each other, but these pieces may be arranged at any other angle, as required by the particular functional or aesthetic features desired.

[0024] Tab member 118 may be essentially flat, or may be essentially flat except for a finger-grasping portion 120 around at least a portion of the periphery of tab member 118. Although tab member 118 is depicted as essentially square or rectangular, other shapes may be employed, to meet particular functional or aesthetic goals. Finger-grasping portion 120 is intended to provide an easier means to grasp and control placement of a window screen in which screen frame connecting device 100 forms a part. A surface of tab member 118 may have a central portion thinner than the peripheral portion. Tab member 118 may be a solid piece free of any holes, with or without finger-grasping portion 120. Optionally, tab member 118 may have one or more holes through a flat surface of elongated or other shape which may allow easier grasping of a window screen in which screen frame connecting device 100 forms a part.

[0025] Tab member 118 has visible indicia located on a surface, which may include symbols, text, or both. FIG. 3A shows an exemplary embodiment of screen frame connecting device 300 having such visible indicia. Screen frame connecting device 300 may include connecting element 310, engagement pieces 311 and 312, keyed engagement portions 313 and 314, groove 315, thickened engagement portions 316, and warning label 318. Groove 315 is suitable for receiving a conventional sealing element such as a rubberized gasket (not shown), which may hold a screen material (e.g., see FIG. 5) of a window screen, for example.

[0026] Such visible indicia in this or other aspects of the invention may be applied by printing, hot stamping, silk screening, painting, or other known means. The visible indicia located on tab member 118 may include one or more raised symbols, which may be the result of a plastic injection molding process. These raised symbols may also have a visible contrast with respect to the surface of tab member 118. To aid in visible contrast, at least a portion of tab member 118 may have a different color than a color of another portion of tab member 118. Further, any lettering or symbology may have a different color than a background portion of tab member 118. Although more labor intensive and less efficient than a screen frame connecting device 100 produced having visible indicia pre-fabricated on tab member 118, the visible indicia may be printed on paper or plastic and applied by an adhesive. For example, visible indicia may be provided in a sticker form added in a subsequent manufacturing step, after initial formation of screen frame connecting device 100.

[0027] In another aspect of this embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, screen frame connecting device 400 includes connecting element 410 having two engagement pieces 411, 412 extending outwardly and essentially opposite to each other, connected by connecting element 410. Each of engagement pieces 411, 412 are configured to engage a corresponding frame member of a window screen frame, illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, and discussed below. Such engagement may be made along an edge of a window screen, as depicted in another embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 6.

[0028] Engagement pieces 411 and 412 include, along a portion of their length, thickened portions 416, and further include, at an end portion, keyed engagement portions 413 and 414, respectively. Groove 415 runs on one side of connecting element 410. Groove 415 is suitable for receiving a conventional sealing element such as a rubberized gasket (not shown), which may hold a screen material (e.g., see FIG. 6) of a window screen, for example.

[0029] Finger-grasping portion 420 is intended to provide a means to allowing grasping and controlling placement of a window screen in which screen frame connecting device 400 forms a part. A surface of tab member 418 may have a central portion thinner than the peripheral portion. Tab member 418 may be a solid piece free of any holes, with or without finger-grasping portion 420. Optionally, tab member 418 may have one or more holes through a flat surface of elongated or other shape which may allow easier grasping of screen frame connecting device 400. An example of a window screen in which screen frame connecting device 400 forms a part is shown in FIG. 6.

[0030] Tab member 418 has visible indicia located on a surface, which may include symbols, text, or both. FIG. 4A shows an exemplary embodiment of screen frame connecting device 400 having such visible indicia, but different text and/or symbols may be used, and such visible indicia may be provided by a variety of means, as previously discussed.

[0031] A cross-section of an exemplary frame member or frame element 200 is illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B. Such a frame element is commonly made from sheet aluminum or other metal, which is rolled and bent into a form similar to the cross-section depicted. An extrusion process may also be used, and other suitable materials may be used, for example, a plastic material, which may be formed by a gluing or an extrusion process.

[0032] In an exemplary embodiment, frame member or frame element 200 includes engagement portion 212, keyed portion 214, groove 215, and rolled edge 219. Engagement portion 212 suitably receives any of engagement pieces 111, 112, 311, 312, or 412, which may be slidably fitted into engagement portion 212. Keyed portion 214 suitably receives any one of keyed engagement portions 113, 114, 313, 314, 413, or 414. Groove 215 of frame element 200 is aligned with groove 115, 315, or 415 of screen frame connecting device 100, 300, or 400. Grooves 115, 215, 315, and 415 are suited to receive a conventional rubberized or elastic spline (not shown) used in window screen construction. Thickened engagement portions 116, 316, or 416 may frictionally engage frame element 200 inside engagement portion 212.

[0033] Another embodiment of the invention directed to a window screen is depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6. In FIG. 5, window screen 500 includes multiple frame elements 200 arranged in a closed shape as a screen frame. At least two of frame elements 200 are interconnected by at least one engagement element 100 or 300. Screening material or screen cloth 510 may be stretched or supported between frame elements 200 arranged as the screen frame in a known manner, for example, by using grooves 115, 215, and 315 in conjunction with a conventional rubberized or elastic spline. Means for displaying visible indicia over a portion of screening material 510 may be provided, as discussed above with respect to the first embodiment. Conventional corner connectors may be used to connect two frame elements without benefit of the visible indicia on engagement elements 100 or 300. Engagement elements 100 or 300 may be supported or suspended in a cantilevered manner over a portion of screening material 510, as discussed above. Other features of engagement elements 100 of 300 are discussed above with respect to the first embodiment.

[0034] Another aspect of this embodiment is depicted in FIG. 6, where engagement element 400 forms a part of window screen 600. Window screen 600 includes multiple frame elements 200 arranged in a closed shape as a screen frame. At least two of frame elements 200 are interconnected by at least one engagement element 400. Screening material 510 may be stretched or supported between frame elements 200 arranged as the screen frame in a known manner, for example, by using grooves 215 and 415 in conjunction with a conventional rubberized or elastic spline. Means for displaying visible indicia over a portion of screening material 510 may be provided, as discussed above with respect to the first embodiment. Conventional corner connectors may be used to connect two frame elements without benefit of the visible indicia on engagement element 400. Engagement element 400 may be supported or suspended in a cantilevered manner over a portion of screening material 510, as discussed above. Other features of engagement element 400 are discussed above with respect to the first embodiment.

[0035] A third embodiment of the invention directed to a screen display element is illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B. In this embodiment, screen display element 700 includes display area 718, which may have visible indicia with features similar to the various attributes of the visible indicia discussed above with respect to the screen connecting device of the first embodiment. An exemplary safety warning label is illustrated in FIG. 7A. Finger-grasping portion 720 may be provided to aid in gripping screen display element 700. Groove contact portion 715 is suited for fitting in groove 215 of conventional frame element 200, for example.

[0036]FIG. 8 illustrates a variation of the second embodiment of the invention directed to a window screen which includes screen display elements of the type depicted in the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. FIG. 8 is somewhat similar to the aspect of the second embodiment depicted in FIG. 6. However, screen display element 700 differs at least in one respect from screen frame connecting device 400 by having no connection to frame element 200 when used in constructing a window screen. As can be noted in FIG. 6, the exemplary embodiment of window screen 600 has multiple frame elements 200 at the bottom of the window screen connected together by screen frame connecting devices 400. The variation of the second embodiment in FIG. 8 may have a continuous length of frame element 200 at the bottom of window screen 800.

[0037] Screen display element 700 may be held in place in FIG. 8 in groove 215 of frame element 200 by one or more of screen cloth 510 and the rubberized spline (not shown) which fits in groove 215 over groove contact portion 715. Other elements of window screen 800 may be similar to the corresponding elements illustrated in FIG. 6.

[0038] Although the various aspects of the embodiments of the invention have been discussed with respect to window screen components and window screens, the features described above could also be applied to screen door frames, with minor modifications.

[0039] The foregoing description illustrates and describes various embodiments of the invention. Additionally, the disclosure shows and describes only the preferred embodiments of the invention, but it is to be understood that the invention is capable of use in various other combinations, modifications, and environments, and is capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the inventive concept as expressed herein, commensurate with the above teachings, and/or the skill or knowledge of the relevant art. The embodiments described hereinabove are further intended to explain best modes known of practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in such, or other, embodiments and with the various modifications required by the particular applications or uses of the invention. Accordingly, the description is not intended to limit the invention to the form disclosed herein. Also, it is intended that the appended claims be construed to include alternative embodiments. 

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States is:
 1. A screen frame connecting device, the connecting device comprising: a connecting element having two engagement pieces extending therefrom, each of said two engagement pieces being suitably arranged and adapted for engaging a corresponding frame member of the screen frame; and a tab member connected to the connecting element and arranged so as to be offset from an outside portion of the connecting element, wherein said tab member has visible indicia located thereon.
 2. The connecting device of claim 1, wherein the tab member is offset from the outside portion of the connecting element along a line essentially bisecting an interior angle formed between said two engagement pieces.
 3. The connecting device of claim 1, wherein said tab member is essentially flat except for a finger-grasping portion around at least a portion of the periphery of the tab member.
 4. The connecting device of claim 1, wherein said tab member is a solid piece free of any holes therethrough.
 5. The connecting device of claim 1, wherein said tab member includes a hole through a flat surface of the tab member.
 6. The connecting device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said tab member is a different color than a color of another portion of said tab member.
 7. The connecting device of claim 1, wherein a surface of said tab member has a central portion thinner than a peripheral portion thereof.
 8. The connecting device of claim 1, wherein the visible indicia located on the tab member comprises one or more raised symbols.
 9. The connecting device of claim 8, wherein the one or more raised symbols have a visible contrast with respect to the surface of the tab member.
 10. The connecting device of claim 1, wherein the visible indicia located on the tab member comprises printed indicia.
 11. A window screen comprising the screen frame connecting device of any one of claims 1-10, and a screen material arranged within a closed area of the window screen.
 12. A window screen, comprising: a plurality of frame elements arranged in a closed shape as a screen frame, two of said plurality of frame elements being interconnected by at least one engagement element; a screening material; and means for displaying visible indicia over a portion of the screening material.
 13. The window screen of claim 12, wherein the means for displaying visible indicia comprises a cantilevered surface having the visible indicia thereon, said cantilevered surface being connected to the at least one engagement element and suspended over the screening material.
 14. The window screen of claim 13, wherein the cantilevered surface is suspended over the screening material at an offset position located along a line essentially bisecting an interior angle formed between said two frame elements.
 15. The window screen of claim 13, wherein the cantilevered surface comprises an essentially flat surface element and a finger-grasping portion around at least a portion of the essentially flat surface element.
 16. The window screen of claim 13, wherein the cantilevered surface comprises a solid piece free of any holes therethrough.
 17. The window screen of claim 13, wherein the cantilevered surface comprises a hole through a flat surface of the cantilevered surface.
 18. The window screen of claim 13, wherein at least a portion of the cantilevered surface has a different color than a color of another portion of the cantilevered surface.
 19. The window screen of claim 13, wherein the cantilevered surface has a central portion thinner than a peripheral portion thereof.
 20. The window screen of claim 13, wherein the visible indicia located on the cantilevered surface comprises one or more symbols raised above the cantilevered surface.
 21. The window screen of claim 20, wherein the one or more raised symbols have a visible contrast with respect to the cantilevered surface.
 22. The window screen of claim 13, wherein the visible indicia located on the cantilevered surface comprises printed indicia.
 23. A screen display device, the device comprising: a display area having visible indicia including one or more letters or symbols thereon; and a groove contact portion suitable for engaging a corresponding groove of a screen frame.
 24. A window screen comprising the screen display device of claim 23 and a screen cloth suspended over a window screen frame, wherein the groove contact portion of the screen display device fits into and is held in a groove of the window screen frame. 